Sue's Bookshelf: On Being Jewish Now

By Sue Littauer

“On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates” edited by Zibby Owens

For the February issue of the Charlotte Jewish News, I wrote about the anti-Zionist movement in the publishing industry. I focused on the ways we could help combat this movement, one of which was to order “On Being Jewish Now,” an anthology of 75 personal essays written by Jewish artists and celebrities, edited

by Zibby Owens. The prompt for these essays was, “How it feels to be Jewish now,” and includes observations on how life has changed since October 7, 2023. All proceeds from the sale of these books go to support the nonprofit Artists Against Antisemitism.

When I started to read the book, I was eager to read those essays written by the authors familiar to me from the selection process for Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s Center for Jewish Education Book Club: Brenda Janowitz, Bess Kalb, Caroline Leavitt, Corie Adjmi, Elyssa Friedland, Jamie Brenner, Jane L. Rosen, Jacqueline Friedland, Lisa Barr, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Noa Yedlin, Renee Rosen, Rochelle Weinstein, or others known to us such as Mark Feuerstein and Jill Zarin.

However, what I took from the book was something far different.

As I read the personal stories of the authors, my experiences as a student, teacher, parent, daughter, Jewish professional, volunteer, and friend crowded my vision. I remembered asking the four questions at the schoolwide seder, singing in the junior choir at Temple B’rith Shalom, my confirmation at Temple Beth Ahabah, wishing for a box of 64 Crayola crayons for Chanukah, having to listen nightly to the 78 RPM record of Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages) before opening any presents, taking on the presidencies of a Jewish sorority and a Jewish organization, and advocating for the excellence of a Jewish day school.

I learned from my experiences as a Judaica teacher, a Jewish fundraiser, and a frequent visitor to Israel. But true to my personality and generation, I never spoke out as comfortably as my children did about their Judaism when they responded, “I celebrate Chanukah,” to the clerks who wished them a Merry Christmas.

After October 7, I’ve tried to take stock of my own actions, but my number one source of pride has been the paths of my children. My oldest daughter traveled to Israel on her own initiative on a women’s mission to Israel, and she has become involved in the Jewish community, serving as treasurer to two organizations. My middle daughter was awarded the Hebrew School Teacher of the Year by the Atlanta Jewish Federation. My son is serving in his 20th year as a Jewish professional. I see the sense of Jewish pride in my grandchildren as well and know our family will do its part in the preservation of Judaism.

For me, “On Being Jewish Now” is about family and doing our part to pass our traditions on to the next generation. It brings tears to my eyes, as my son, on many public occasions, has honored my late father’s tradition of speaking the words of the Shehechiyanu prayer.

L’dor v’dor.

“On Being Jewish Now” is available on Amazon or Zibbymedia.com